An incident of alleged police misconduct in Nandi Hills town has drawn national attention after CCTV footage showing officers assaulting young men began circulating online.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has ordered swift investigations into the matter, saying the actions seen in the video are disturbing and must be addressed urgently. The incident has raised serious concerns about police conduct and accountability.
The video, which has been widely shared on social media, shows about ten armed police officers confronting and beating several young men who were reportedly playing pool. The footage has caused anger among members of the public, with many questioning why such force was used in what appeared to be a nonviolent situation. The incident is said to have taken place on January 10, 2026, according to a preliminary review by the National Police Service.
In a statement released on Friday, National Police Service spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the Inspector General had personally watched the footage and was deeply troubled by what it showed. He explained that the Internal Affairs Unit had been directed to carry out a full investigation and complete it within three days. Any officer found responsible for wrongdoing will face disciplinary action in line with the law.
Nyaga stated that the investigation would be handled with professionalism to establish exactly what happened and why. He added that the police service would work with independent institutions to make sure the process is transparent and fair. According to him, the aim is to ensure accountability and restore public confidence in the police.
The National Police Service strongly condemned the conduct seen in the footage, describing it as barbaric behaviour that has no place in a civilised society. The service noted that such actions violate the National Police Service Act, the Police Code of Conduct, and basic human rights. Police leadership warned officers that any form of misconduct would not be tolerated.
Nyaga emphasised that police officers are expected to serve the public with respect and professionalism at all times. He said the service to the people must always remain courteous and lawful, and anything short of this would be dealt with firmly and swiftly. He also reassured the public that the incident does not represent the values or standards of the entire police service.
The police leadership further urged members of the public who may have information related to the incident to come forward. They were encouraged to report to the nearest police station or use the available toll-free numbers to assist investigators. Such cooperation, the police said, is important in helping establish the truth.
At the same time, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority has also launched its own investigation into the alleged police brutality. IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan said the authority had deployed a Rapid Investigations Team to Nandi Hills. The team is expected to conduct thorough inquiries to understand the sequence of events, assess the conduct of the officers involved, and determine responsibility in line with IPOA’s mandate.
